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You don’t have to venture deep into this huge continent – larger than Europe – to have a rewarding experience of what Antarctica has to offer. One of the most frequent and popular itineraries is this journey which crosses the Drake Passage to visit the most accessible region of the continent around the Antarctic Peninsula, a slim finger of land and offshore islands reaching out from the main continental mass towards southern Argentina. You will observe prolific wildlife, extraordinary ice-carved landscapes and evidence of the human impact – derelict whaling stations, and research outposts.

You’ll view the highlights from your ship, zodiac or on shore excursions; but, on some departures and only if conditions permit, you may also be able to opt to venture onto the ice and ski, paddle round the bergs in a kayak, or even indulge in a spot of mountaineering.

This expedition reveals the snow-drenched mountains and icebergs of these more accessible fringes of the White Continent. The cliffs and bays are brought to life by the chattering and wheeling of birdlife, sea-lions and penguins. You pass through the oft stormy Drake Passage and the Antarctic Convergence, where the upwelling of nutrients as warm water meets cold attracts wildlife in astonishing abundance.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1

You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel in downtown Buenos Aires by one of our local representatives.

Buenos Aires is an elegant, cultured and cosmopolitan city famed for its interesting museums and the fascinating port district of La Boca, with its cobbled streets and brightly painted houses. It was here that the tango was born, and Diego Maradona honed his footballing skills.

The centre of town is home to the colonial heartland, government buildings and churches, as well as chic shopping districts, which have a nostalgic Parisian feel. The bohemian quarter of San Telmo is full of quaint old houses interspersed with antiques shops, tango bars and classy restaurants. Slightly further out of the centre is the Recoleta district, even more evocative of French belle époque and Italian influence.

Day 2

Guided city tour.

Your guided city tour takes you along Avenida 9 de Julio, one of the widest boulevards in the world and studded by the Obelisk, an emblematic symbol of the city.

Along this majestic highway is the 19th century Teatro Colón which, in terms of its architecture and design, as well as its excellent acoustics, is considered one of world’s best. On to the Plaza de Mayo, enclosed on 3 sides by the Metropolitan cathedral, the town hall and the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace. Time permitting, the tour continues to bohemian, arty La Boca, which was settled and built by Italian immigrants and has streets lined with brightly painted corrugated iron-clad houses.

Day 4

Transfer to the airport and flt to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, at the southernmost tip of the continent. Depending on the number of intermediate stops, your flight takes 3-5 hours.

The city has grown rapidly in recent years, partly as a result of government incentives to settlers, and its establishment as a Free Port, and partly a tourist centre - most Antarctic cruises, like yours, leave from the port here. The setting is spectacular; jagged mountains hem in the town down to the shore of the Beagle Channel. Transfer to the port and embark the ship Ocean Endeavour.

This is a gleaming vessel which resembles a good quality cruise yacht. She is operated by Quark, one of the most long-standing and experienced companies offering expedition voyages in polar waters. Accommodating 199 guests she is also slightly larger than many expedition cruise vessels, and her facilities and ambience are more like those of a floating hotel.

You’ll have a well-informed wildlife experience: each voyage is accompanied by an expert; a practicing scientist, historian, or researcher who conducts fieldwork during the trip. The cabins are very comfortable with a wide range, from good-value Standards to luxurious Suites. All have either porthole or window and private facilities. The ship’s library is well-stocked with polar books and DVDs.

Depart and head towards the Drake Passage through the Beagle Channel, so named after the HMS Beagle which later took Charles Darwin on his explorations around the South American continent.

Days 5-6

Cross the Drake Passage.

Cross the Drake Passage, hundreds of kilometres of open water and the shortest crossing between Antarctica and the rest of the world. Very occasionally the crossing is gentle, but the odds are against it. Force 5/6 winds are considered normal conditions. Whales and dolphins can often be seen as well as an abundance of marine birds such as petrels, albatrosses and penguins. During this part of the voyage, there are briefings and presentations on the Antarctic ecosystem.

Days 7-11

Visit the South Shetland Islands, on to and explore the Antarctic Peninsula.

At last, the first sight of land: an iceberg and then the mountains of the South Shetland Islands. The main stop here is at Deception Island, the centre of which is a volcanic caldera that last erupted in 1969. A rugged, heavily-glaciated chain of four island groups and dozens of islets hugs the Antarctic Peninsula, providing a sheltered sea passage defined by towers of black rock. Names evoke the experiences and imagination of the early explorers – Deception and Desolation Islands, the Watchtower, and elephant Island, where Shackleton’s expedition was stranded for 135 days.

Continue to explore the Antarctic Peninsula. The Peninsula is the most accessible area of the continent and hosts some of the most interesting scenery and wildlife, as well as many of the continent’s scientific bases.

Exactly where the ship lands will vary from one expedition to the next and according to the polar conditions as the ship edges its way southwards through the slush and abstract patterns formed by the fractured sea ice. Here, the silence is so complete that interruptions become indelible memories: noisy penguins squabbling over prized pebbles on Cuverville Island, the boom and crack of a calving glacier in Paradise Harbour, for example. The soaring peaks and stark rocks of Lemaire Channel are just the excuse you need to grab your camera gear for a shooting session from the deck, if the channel is free of ice. Wildlife you may encounter includes gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, petrel, shag, elephant and fur seal, and perhaps whales.

Days 12-13

Cross the Drake Passage. Disembark in Ushuaia; fly to Buenos Aires.

Leaving Antarctica, your ship sails northward and returns across the Drake Passage towards Ushuaia, arriving on the morning on day 13. Transfer to the airport and fly to Buenos Aires for a final night's stay in the city.

Day 14

Transfer to airport for international flight.

Essential information

Nature of the Antarctic Travel

Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition's progress - the prevailing wind, weather and ice conditions, for example. Ideally, depart the ship by zodiac to explore the peninsula with at least two excursions daily - on land, by zodiac or a combination of both, lasting anything between two and four hours. There are no man-made jetties in Antarctica so landfalls are 'wet landings' where you scramble ashore from the zodiac in rubber boots and waterproofs. You are then free to explore on your own or in groups, before later being picked up again by zodiac. Evenings may be spent relaxing, reliving the days' events with a briefing or lecture, or out on the deck, keeping an eye on the dramatic, ever-changing scenery. Itineraries will vary from the original plan if conditions demand/permit.

It’s a long time at sea, but the variety and intrinsic fascination of what can be seen is spell-binding.

Optional excursion

• Kayaking.
• Camping
• Cross country skiing.
• Mountaineering.

These activities are offered on some but not all departures and in some cases previous experience is advised or required. It is advisable to pre-book (and pre-pay) any optional activities which are charged for, as some of these have limited numbers and can fill up before the cruise commences. Please enquire with us for details.

Before you book

What to see and when

The theatre of wildlife in Antarctica as a whole displays an ever changing narrative of birth, struggle, pleasure, fulfilment and death. You may witness the comedy of a waddling penguin building its nest, a mother bird feeding its young or reuniting with a returning mate; a wily seal escaping the clutches of a hunting whale.

Drake Passage and the Antarctic Convergence:
Over 35 species of bird may accompany your crossing. Species include giant petrels, Antarctic fulmars, and the black-browed and wandering albatrosses with wingspans up to 3m.

Transport

2 flights (4hrs); 9-night cruise.

Accommodation

The hotels in Argentina are good, practical mid-range options. The Ocean Endeavour is a purpose built expedition cruise ship, accommodating 199 guests and with an excellent range of facilities for its type.

Meals

Breakfast daily; full board days 4-12.

Guides

We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.

Included excursions

• City tour of Buenos Aires.
• Shore excursions on the Antarctic cruise

Summary of nights

Included in the journey price

• Services of our team of experts in our London office.
• Services of Journey Latin America local representatives and guides.
• All land and domestic air transport within Latin America.
• Accommodation as specified.
• Meals as specified.
• Excursions as specified, including entrance fees.

Not included in the journey price

• Tips and gratuities
• Meals other than specified.
• International flights to Latin America.
• Airport taxes, when not included in the ticket
• Optional excursions.

Travelling alone

Cruise ships will accept individuals travelling alone who are willing to share a cabin with a person of the same sex, they will be charged the per person price based on two travelling together. If you prefer your own cabin you can opt to pay a single cabin supplement.

Currency

The unit of currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso. The ship works with US dollars.

Daily spend

Meals on board ship are included. Water, coffee and tea are complimentary but other drinks are charged. You pay for your extras (in US dollars or by credit card) at the end of the cruise. There isn’t much else to pay for on board.

How to take it

Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.

We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.

On the cruise ship you can pay your bill for extras with a credit card (most accepted excluding Diner’s Club), or in US dollars cash.

Tipping

Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.

Most service industry It is common to leave 10 - 12% in restaurants. Workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for cruise ship staff, hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 - 12% in restaurants. On the cruise, a tip of $US 8-10 per person per day for the crew and guides is considered appropriate.

Insurance

Airport taxes

If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.

Journey grade

The cruise ship has roomy, well heated and well equipped cabins and there is a limited health spa on board. There are optional excursions on some departures (enquire) such as kayaking and cross-country skiing, previous experience is advisable for some activities.

The cruise:
Antarctica is very remote: once committed to your journey, you are at the mercy of the weather and ocean conditions, the melting and freezing of ice-packs, and the movement of icebergs. This is expeditionary cruising: you will be facing the same environmental challenges as the early explorers, albeit in much greater comfort, and with the assistance of modern technology and communications.

You need to be sufficiently agile to get in and out of small landing craft and walk over rocky terrain. There is a doctor on board but if you fall ill while on the cruise or have an accident, it could be a long time and maybe an arduous journey before you return to a destination with good medical facilities, so bear this in mind if you have a pre-existing condition.

Climate

Buenos Aires is hottest January-March (very humid with tropical showers, occasionally over 40°C during the day).
November and December may be a little cooler.

Patagonia/Tierra del Fuego is best to visit in the summer (December-February) when days are long and mild. March and November can be sunny and clear, but it may be windy.

Antarctica is accessible by ship from late October to March, the southern hemisphere summer. Outside this period days are short and dark. The Peninsula has a typical maritime climate with average temperatures during the cruising season varying between 1°C and -15°C. Antarctica is a desert, so you won’t see much precipitation.

Clothing and special equipment

The southern hemisphere summer is hot in Buenos Aires, so take loose-fitting light clothing for maximum comfort at this time. An umbrella is a good idea in case of a tropical shower. Spring and autumn are milder and less predictable.

South America is in general a relaxed continent and you won’t need clothes for formal dining but you may wish to take some smart casual wear if you intend to visit top of the range restaurants.

On the cruise:
Protective clothing is the single most important way of ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable cruise and the key is to dress in layers. For Antarctic landings, travellers on Ocean Diamond expeditions receive a complimentary parka consisting of a fleece jacket and an outer shell which is wind and waterproof. In addition, you should bring (to be worn beneath your parka) a breathable, thermal base layer to wick away perspiration and a warm mid-layer such as a fleece or down sweater; trousers (with thermal lining, or base layer of thermal leggings) and an outer shell of waterproof trousers; hat, warm socks, scarf, gloves and sunglasses. Rubber boots are essential for Antarctic landings; these can be pre-ordered and are loaned on board free of charge. Dress on board ship is informal and it’s sensible to bring a spare change of warm, dry clothing for wearing out on deck between landings.
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Vaccinations

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.

Visas

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.

APIS and ESTA - important flight information:

ESTA - If flying to the US, or via the US, you will need to fill in your application to ESTA online.
This costs $14 per person. This must be done by you personally.

Passports must also be machine-readable (MRP). Avoid locking suitcases if transiting the USA, as their customs authorities retain the right to break into them.

APIS - Many countries now oblige airlines to provide additional information about passengers prior to the flight departure. This Advance Passenger Information (APIS) must be supplied to us promptly in order to issue tickets and avoid fare increases. We will provide the airlines with the relevant details if we are booking your international flights. If the information is not provided you may be denied boarding.